When The Wall Street Journal took its monthly snapshot of forecasters in February, they were upbeat. Encouraged by the economy’s momentum at the end of 2010, they predicted the U.S. would grow at an annual rate of 3.6% in the first quarter, 3.4% in the second and third and 3.5% in the fourth. The forecasters were wrong: The U.S. grew at a disappointing 1.9% pace in the first quarter. The government likely will report next week that the second quarter was no better. WSJ’s David Wessel gives us three reasons why. Download MP3

The space shuttle Atlantis touched down gently at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday morning, bringing the storied 30-year NASA program to an end and ceding dominion of space to the Russians, for now. What’s next for NASA? Gordon Deal talked with Wyatt Nordstrom, CEO of Maven Research, who posed just that question. Download MP3

You just gave your life savings to Uncle Sam…would you like a free Cinnabon? Plus…Consumers try to spend us out of a recession, a big feud over NASA is brewing, how to lessen your tax hit for 2010, Obama spends some quality time with the Estefans, and now that we’re already sick of 3-D…what’s next?

Someone forgot to tell movie theater owners that 3-D is the new thing! Plus…NASA is called in to tackle Toyota’s problems, Google dances with China, why it’s time to shop for a car, last-minute tax tips, and Mike Salvatorelli on why magnets make you evil!

About WSJ This Morning

Wake up with America’s first news – The Wall Street Journal This Morning. Host Gordon Deal and news anchor Gina Cervetti go beyond the headlines with the day’s first look at news and business news from the U.S. and around the world; bringing a lively blend of intelligent information, humor, and expert analysis to morning radio.

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Biographies

Gordon Deal Before taking the helm at The Wall Street Journal This Morning in November 2005, Gordon was well-known to New York City radio listeners, having worked at both WINS-AM and WCBS-AM where he honed his writing skills and developed his distinctive on-air reporting style. He also served as New York City bureau chief for Metro Networks where his reports aired on WOR-AM and WABC-AM.

Gina Cervetti has an extensive radio news anchoring and reporting background including several years at Boston NPR affiliate WBUR-FM where she anchored the local production of "All Things Considered" and "Here and Now." Gina is an Associated Press Award-winning broadcaster, whose reports have been heard all over New England, including WRKO Boston and WTAG Worcester. She graduated from Boston University.

Mike Gavin oversees the production of the show which includes coordinating segments with WSJ reporters, editors, and outside newsmakers. He also oversees the sound and content of the show including all music and sound elements. Mike had spent a decade in radio programming and production before finding a home at WSJ Radio in 2007. He lives at the Jersey Shore with his wife and son.